the original bonsai

so my first bonsai has been in training for about almost 4 years. it is a Syzygium australe or schrub cherry and part of the Myrtaceae family. i found this when visiting a mate of mine in bonnievale at the end of 2010. i collected a whole bunch from the farm. Only saplings. [fyi yamadori - collecting bonsai material from the wild]. I let this one grow for a couple of months and then got very cocky and wired it. i decided to keep it small and try something that i thought was creative and unconventional. here are some of the earlier pictures.

september 2010, starting off, below

First attempt at wiring; should have used thicker wire. i also did not place the wire right up to the end of the branch. one must also keep in mind these plants grow fairly quickly and the wire can cut into the tree

bonsai containers contriubutes a lot to the presentation of the tree

most recent photo; notice multiple sacrificial branches at the bottom of the stem(4)which will be cut at a later stage during training. these branches helps to 'thicken' the stem and add to the tapering at the bottom, giving an older and more natural appearance.

More updates to follow